1400–1499 (A.D.) World History

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

The Duomo
The Duomo in
Florence
Linda J. Barnes
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
(1412–1431)

1407
Casa di San Giorgio, one of the first public banks, founded in Genoa.
1415
Henry V defeats French at Agincourt. Jan Hus, Bohemian preacher and follower of Wycliffe, burned at stake in Constance as heretic.
1418–1460
Portugal's Prince Henry the Navigator sponsors exploration of Africa's coast.
1420
Brunelleschi begins work on the Duomo in Florence.
1428
Joan of Arc leads French against English, captured by Burgundians (1430) and turned over to the English, burned at the stake as a witch after ecclesiastical trial (1431).
1438
Incas rule in Peru.
1450
Florence becomes center of Renaissance arts and learning under the Medicis.
1453
Turks conquer Constantinople, end of the Byzantine empire, beginning of the Ottoman empire.
1455
The Wars of the Roses, civil wars between rival noble factions, begin in England (to 1485). Having invented printing with movable type at Mainz, Germany, Johann Gutenberg completes first Bible.
1462
Ivan the Great rules Russia until 1505 as first czar; ends payment of tribute to Mongols.
1492
Moors conquered in Spain by troops of Ferdinand and Isabella. Columbus becomes first European to encounter Caribbean islands, returns to Spain (1493). Second voyage to Dominica, Jamaica, Puerto Rico (1493–1496). Third voyage to Orinoco (1498). Fourth voyage to Honduras and Panama (1502–1504).
1497
Vasco da Gama sails around Africa and discovers sea route to India (1498). Establishes Portuguese colony in India (1502). John Cabot, employed by England, reaches and explores Canadian coast. Michelangelo's Bacchus sculpture.
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